Pfizer Cuts Off Cholesterol Drug Trials

[Cant_wait_for_2008]

Pfizer Cuts Off Cholesterol Drug Trials

Associated Press

12.02.06, 9:46 PM ET

Pfizer Inc. said Saturday it has cut off all clinical trials and development for a cholesterol drug that was supposed to be the star of its pipeline because of an unexpected number of deaths and cardiovascular problems in patients who used it.

The world's largest drugmaker said it was told Saturday that an independent board monitoring a study for torcetrapib, a drug that raises levels of good cholesterol, recommended that the work end because of "an imbalance of mortality and cardiovascular events."

Pfizer (nyse: PFE - news - people ) said it is asking all clinical investigators conducting trials to warn patients to stop taking the drug immediately.

http://www.forbes.com/technology/feeds/ap/2006/12/02/ap3222916.html

[bluestateguy]

1. Sometimes it's better to be in the Placebo group

Yikes.

[Cant_wait_for_2008]

2. If people really knew what the "Statin" cholesterol drugs can do.....

in damage to the human body, they would have serious doubts about taking them in the first place.

Lipitor just about did me in with side effects so I'll take my chances with diet and excercise to lower my blood lipids.

http://www.spacedoc.net/

[ironflange]

5. Me too

Lipitor buggered up my back but good, no doubt about it. Too bad, because it dropped my cholesterol through the floor too.

[flyingfysh]

3. It looks like Pfizer did the right thing

They shut it down early, rather than try to hide the problems in hopes of making a profit.

[Obamarama]

4. Pfizer is also reducing their sales force by 20% worldwide....hmmm, wonder why.

The drug reps that come to our medical facility are all pretty rankled about it. Nobody has any idea who is going to get the axe.

[Fridays Child]

6. Love those euphemisms...

"...an imbalance of mortality and cardiovascular events."

Reminds me of how starvation is, now, "food insecurity."